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Delgado could head to 'pen when rotation heals up

Delgado could head to 'pen when rotation heals up

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Delgado's strong start 1:32

7/3/13: Randall Delgado strikes out nine over seven innings of two-run ball against the Mets

By Tyler Emerick
/
MLB.com |

PHOENIX -- The D-backs expect to get injured starters Trevor Cahill and Brandon McCarthy back sometime around the end of July or early August, and when that happens, the club will need to reshuffle its pitching staff to make room. On Saturday, D-backs manager Kirk Gibson discussed one potential scenario, moving right-hander Randall Delgado to the bullpen to either replace Josh Collmenter as the long man or share the role with him.

Gibson has talked recently about using Collmenter in a role other than multiple-inning relief, so with Delgado in the bullpen, the D-backs would have Collmenter freed up.

"We kind of have a bullpen full of one-inning guys," Gibson said. "Besides Collmenter, we haven't been able to throw a guy two innings, and if we do, he's down for a day or two. So that's something that's appealing."

Gibson said the plan is currently in the "prototype stage" but that above everything else, he wants to make sure whoever is pitching well, regardless of role, stays with the big league club.

Entering his start on Saturday night, Delgado (1-3, 3.82 ERA) had yet to allow more than three earned runs in a start since joining the rotation.

"If you deserve to be here, you're going to be here," Gibson said. "In the end, the guys that are going to throw the best are going to be here. We'll figure it out from there."

Tyler Emerick is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.